Which is better, CenturyLink or Brightspeed?

Brightspeed is faster and cheaper to start, and CenturyLink is available to more people. Where both are offered (about 5,381 people), Brightspeed has the faster top speed for 77% of homes.

FasterBrightspeedFaster for 77% of homes where both are offered.

Cheaper to startBrightspeedFrom $49 a month, vs $55.

Better ratedToo close to callRated about the same by their customers.

Available to more peopleCenturyLink39.8 million people in 20 states, vs 13.5 million in 20 states.

CenturyLink
Price: $55.00 - $75.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 8,000 Mbps
Internet Type: DSL and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (177)
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Brightspeed
Price: $39.99 - $109.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 2,000 Mbps
Internet Type: DSL, fiber, and fixed wireless
Rating (Reviews): (74)
View Plans

CenturyLink vs. Brightspeed at a glance

Measure	CenturyLink	Brightspeed
Available to	39.8 million people in 20 states	13.5 million people in 20 states
Main technology	DSL 96%, fiber 19%	DSL 88%, fiber 43%, fixed wireless 4%
Top download speed filed with the FCC	8,000 Mbps	2,000 Mbps
Fastest plan we list	940 Mbps down, 940 Mbps up	2,000 Mbps down, 2,000 Mbps up
Starting price	$55 a month	$49 a month
Cheapest plan, first 2 years	$1,320 (100 Mbps plan)	$1,176 (200 Mbps plan)
Customer rating	3.2 of 5 (181 reviews)	3.1 of 5 (76 reviews)
Rated for speed	3.2 of 5	3.0 of 5
Rated for price	3.4 of 5	3.4 of 5
Where both are offered	About 5,381 people (0% of Brightspeed's area); Brightspeed is faster for 77% of them, the same top speed for 14%

Coverage and top speeds: FCC filings; plans and prices: our pricing table; ratings: verified customer reviews on ISP Reports. Check your address for what is offered at your home.

Where CenturyLink and Brightspeed are available

CenturyLink and Brightspeed have distinct coverage footprints across the United States. Our interactive map shows exactly where each provider offers service and where they overlap, helping you understand your options.

CenturyLink currently offers internet service in 5,326 cities and 574 counties across 20 states, reaching approximately 40,620,740 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Phoenix, AZ; Minneapolis, MN; and Denver, CO. By comparison, Brightspeed serves 13,910,106 residents in 7,784 cities and 827 counties in 20 states, with a presence in population centers such as Raleigh, NC; St. Louis, MO; and New York, NY.

Each provider’s own page has its full coverage map, county by county: CenturyLink coverage map and Brightspeed coverage map.

Availability changes from one street to the next. Check your address to see whether CenturyLink, Brightspeed or both are offered at your home.

CenturyLink vs. Brightspeed Speeds and Technology

CenturyLink and Brightspeed utilize different network technologies to deliver internet service, resulting in varying speed capabilities across their service areas.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, Brightspeed offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 779 Mbps compared to CenturyLink’s average speed of 237 Mbps.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. CenturyLink’s premium Fiber service reaches 18.1% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, Brightspeed’s top-tier Fiber is available to 41.3% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

CenturyLink vs. Brightspeed Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for CenturyLink and Brightspeed, drawn from our independently maintained pricing database. The source and verification date for each provider's plans are noted beneath the table.

Provider representatives can send plan or pricing updates through our contact page; verified changes publish shortly after review.

Most households with 3-5 users need download speeds of at least 100 Mbps for smooth streaming, video conferencing, and everyday internet usage. Larger households or those with heavy users (gamers, 4K streamers, or remote workers) should consider plans with speeds of 300 Mbps or more for optimal performance.

Any prices listed are the base service rates and may not include additional charges such as equipment fees, installation costs, or other service-related expenses. For a comprehensive view of all potential charges, refer to our Fees & Details section below.

CenturyLink vs. Brightspeed Customer Ratings and Reviews

Compare how real customers rate CenturyLink and Brightspeed based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.

When comparing customer satisfaction, CenturyLink earns an overall rating of 3.23 / 5 stars from 183 customer reviews, while Brightspeed maintains a 3.09 / 5 rating from 76 reviews. CenturyLink outperforms Brightspeed by 0.1 points in overall satisfaction. CenturyLink’s best-rated service is their Fiber offering at 3.81 / 5 stars, compared to Brightspeed’s highest-rated service, Fiber, at 3.84 / 5 stars.

Fees vary by plan and location. The fees shown apply to most plans; check with the provider for costs specific to your plan.

When comparing internet providers, remember that advertised prices rarely tell the complete story. Equipment fees alone can add $10-15 per month to your bill, while installation charges, early termination fees, and data overage penalties can significantly increase your total cost of service. Consider these additional costs alongside monthly rates when determining which provider offers the better value for your specific needs.

CenturyLink vs. Brightspeed Pros and Cons

CenturyLink

From 99 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

• Good value: praised in 30 of 99 written reviews (8 call it overpriced). "I find the price is good compared to other options"
• No contract hassles: praised in 5 of 99 written reviews. "on no contract deal"

Cons

• Slower than promised: a complaint in 40 of 99 written reviews (22 call it fast). "slow speed, probably throttled"
• Outages and drops: a complaint in 39 of 99 written reviews (25 call it reliable). "we had an internet outage"
• Poor customer service: a complaint in 24 of 99 written reviews (9 praise the service). "Century Link customer service is terrible"

Brightspeed

From 52 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

• Good value: praised in 15 of 52 written reviews (6 call it overpriced). "the price point is great"
• Easy installation: praised in 5 of 52 written reviews (4 had install trouble). "installation technician was courteous and professional"
• No data caps: praised in 4 of 52 written reviews. "I have no Data caps either"

Cons

• Outages and drops: a complaint in 17 of 52 written reviews (9 call it reliable). "Our internet continues to fail. We have outages frequently."
• Slower than promised: a complaint in 16 of 52 written reviews (10 call it fast). "that 5% of the time where speeds have been quite slow"
• Poor customer service: a complaint in 15 of 52 written reviews. "The wait time for repair on their faulty lines is atrocious."

CenturyLink vs. Brightspeed Top Cities

CenturyLink serves 5,326 cities while Brightspeed is available in 7,784 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.